Paperweight c. 1845 - 1855

This glass paperweight was created by the Clichy Glasshouse between 1837 and 1885. Encased in clear glass, it presents an array of millefiori—tiny glass rods cut to reveal intricate floral patterns. The floral motifs are reminiscent of ancient mandalas, and speak to our human drive to find order and meaning in the cosmos. These symmetrical compositions, echoing patterns found in nature, resurface across cultures and eras. Consider the rosettes adorning ancient Roman mosaics or the geometric designs in Islamic art. The center contains a star-shaped flower, echoing the "stella maris," or "star of the sea," a symbol of guidance and hope, often associated with the Virgin Mary. Here, the paperweight transforms into a microcosm—a self-contained universe. The symbolic language of flowers allows us to create a personal narrative, a reflection on beauty, and a reminder of life's ephemeral nature.